Prevent Serious Incidents: Lock Out Tag Out incidents are almost always serious. Just imagine the type of injury that can occur when powered equipment, hydraulic pressure, or electrical current is involved.  

Reduce chance of OSHA citations: Lock Out Tag Out has been, and will likely remain, on the top of OSHA’s frequently cited regulation list.  By using our turnkey Lock Out Tag Out Services you can avoid costly OSHA fines.

Reduce complexity: Depending upon the number and types of equipment you have the Lock Out Tag Out process can be very complex. Having easy-to-follow program that uses graphical procedures and tags will ensure understanding and implementation at all levels.

Better insurance rates: Insurance underwriters understand the risk of powered equipment and recognize that a failure to control that energy can be very costly. If you have a world class Lock Out Tag Out program the underwriter may offer reduced rates based on the reduced risk.

Reduce damage to equipment: Lock Out Tag Out is not just for employee safety. Failure to control energy can also completely destroy your equipment which can cause hundreds of thousands of dollars in repair costs and downtime.

Step 1- Equipment Assessment:
Safety Links will conduct a survey of your equipment and processes to determine the need for and methods to lock out each piece of equipment.

We will work with your production and maintenance staff to understand exactly which equipment meets the criteria set forth by 1910.147(c)(4)(i) and more importantly, which equipment does not meet the criteria.

OSHA requires that all equipment must meet every one of the 8-criteria otherwise it must have a machine specific lockout-tagout procedure. The 8 elements are explained in 1910.147(c)(4)(i) and are as follows:

The machine or equipment has no potential for stored or residual energy or reaccumulation of stored energy after shut down which could endanger employees;

1. the machine or equipment has a single energy source which can be readily identified and isolated;
2. the isolation and locking out of that energy source will completely deenergize and deactivate the machine or equipment;
3. the machine or equipment is isolated from that energy source and locked out during servicing or maintenance;
4. a single lockout device will achieve a locked-out condition;
5. the lockout device is under the exclusive control of the authorized employee performing the servicing or maintenance;
6. the servicing or maintenance does not create hazards for other employees; and
7. the employer, in utilizing this exception, has had no accidents involving the unexpected activation or reenergization of the machine or equipment during servicing or maintenance.

Step 2- Program Development
Understanding the unique aspects of your safety management system is the key to creating a custom Lock Out Tag Out program. Not only will Safety Links ensure your Lock Out Tag Out program meets all of OSHA’s requirements, but we will ensure that your program meets the actual needs of your business.

Your customized program will serve as a reference, detailing how and when to perform a lockout, who is responsible for what aspects of the program, and how the policy will be implemented. In addition your policy will discuss training new employees, creating procedures for new equipment, auditing schedule for procedures and employees, and the annual review requirements.

Step 3- Development of Lock-out/ Tag-out procedures:
After the assessment is completed Safety Links will develop specific Lock-out/ Tag-out procedures for each unique piece of equipment. These procedures will be formatted using an easy to understand, and if possible, picture based approach to encourage future use by employees. Safety Links will provide you with the final procedures in an electronic (MS Word) format to allow for future editing. No special software is needed!

Step 4- Lock Out Tag Out Training:
After the procedures are completed Safety Links will provide customized hands-on employee lock out tag out training session.

This training will include a description of OSHA’s lockout/tagout standard in addition to a hands-on demonstration of the equipment, devices and procedures needed to protect themselves. Each participant will receive a course hand out specific to your program and a certificate of completion.

When complete, it is our goal that each employee fully understands their role and responsibilities.

Step 5- Lockout-Tagout Annual Audit
Safety Links will provide your OSHA required annual audit and program review. We will compare your existing equipment to the written procedure to determine if there are any changes needed. We will check your authorized employees to ensure they understand the particular process for the equipment they work on. By outsourcing this audit to you can ensure your program is reviewed with an unbiased perspective, ensuring high quality and accuracy.